Thanks to the editorial board for its call to “Take a breather on public oil and gas leases.”

As the editorial points out, the Trump administration’s Bureau of Land Management has been running roughshod over the concerns of Colorado’s residents and elected officials in its rush to lease public land and minerals for fracking. That’s why my organization, the Center for Biological Diversity, successfully sued the agency to stop it from cutting the public out of leasing decisions.

Federal leases lead to permanent damage for neighboring communities, air and water quality, and wildlife like mule deer and sage grouse. But there’s another reason to pause.

New federal reports show fossil-fuel leasing on public land accounts for 25 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, fueling drought, wildfire and reduced snowpack.

New fossil fuel leasing on public land is incompatible with a livable climate for our children.

Michael Saul, Denver

Looking to the next generation of leaders

In The Denver Post, an ad for the University of Denver’s University College says there are five skills needed by millennial leaders: global perspective, ethics, innovation, collaboration and passion.

It just made me think of our leaders in Washington, D.C., in the Catholic church, in most of the institutions reported on in the Post. Maybe those leaders have passion, but ethics, collaboration, global perspective and innovation are noticeably lacking.

Here’s hoping the millennials learn those skills and then use them.

Or is it pie-in-the-sky thinking that someday those skills will define our leadership instead of their antithesis?

Cynthia Fite, Lakewood

An oath to defend the U.S.

Re: “Unnecessary (and illegal),” Dec. 2 column

I take umbrage at The Denver Post’s Dec. 2 Perspective leading page article, “Unnecessary (and illegal)” regarding the president of the United States’ use of military and force to stem the flood of illegal aliens entry into this sovereign nation.

I’m certain that 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) was read and re-read but not to your satisfaction. As a combat veteran with 23 years of service, I fought for the citizens of THIS country first and foremost. Liberal talking heads don’t seem to get it. Well, get this:

“Whenever the president finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such a period as he shall seem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restriction he may deem to be appropriate.”

The president took the same oath I did: “I do solemnly swear to protect and defend.” I wish politicians would live up to the oath they took, and editorial writers also …

More in Letters

Bad excuse for a war Re: “Worries ﬂare that U.S., Iran are closer to war,” May 15 new story While the international community may be worried about a new U.S. war, anyone in this country who values democracy should be even more worried about a pre-election war with Iran (or North Korea, or whomever). No, this is not Democratic Party...

Inspired by Robert F. Smith’s act of philanthropy Re: “Robert F. Smith, billionaire from Denver, pledges to pay oﬀ debt,” May 20 news story What a great announcement that Robert F. Smith will pay off the student debts of all 396 graduates of the 2019 class at Morehouse College! This is the type of benevolence that underscores what America stands...

Governor’s extra measures Re: “Polis is violating the Clean Air Act and it’ll hurt Colorado’s economy,” May 15 commentary State Sen. John Cooke’s editorial denouncing Gov. Polis for violating the Clean Air Act is deliberately misleading, using ambiguous and inflammatory language to promote an anti- environment agenda. The most troubling premise of his opinion is that pollution coming from out-of-state...

Consider promoting human population control Re: “U.N. report weaves together perils facing all creatures,” May 19 commentary The guest commentary by Brian Aucone and Graeme Patterson, both of the Denver Zoo, referenced the recent U.N. report warning of the imminent extinction of up to 1 million plant and animal species. For decades now, we have experienced spotty reminders through various...